Meet The Need Atlanta

On August 1st 2010 MTN began a new partnership with the Gwinnett County Detention Center.  Gwinnett County Detention Center is the premier facility in the Southeast accommodating approximately 3500 inmates.  MTN has agreed to take point in the newly established re-entry program in Gwinnett County.  The program has been put in place to assist men leaving the jail that have nowhere to go and no means to establish themselves.  In the first 5 months we have taken in 35 men from GCDC.  MTN forecasts approximately 100 men annually from the GCDC.  The process for the men is very simple and is listed below.

1) The individual needing help writes an inmate request for a MTN application.

2) The applications are picked up by MTN and reviewed for information gathering.

3) Jane and I interview all applicants and determine if MTN is the right program for them.  If not, we provide information for them to seek assistance elsewhere.

4) Upon release, the individual is picked up from the GCDC and transported by MTN to a ministry home to begin their journey.

MTN is happy to assist the Gwinnett Community with the re-entry program.  The program significantly reduces the likelihood of repeat offenses.  MTN looks forward to partnering with the community in meeting the needs of the community.  The financial support of local businesses and organizations is critical in maintaining a window of opportunity for the homeless men.

Russell organizing the kitchen at BD1

19 Men in two weeks were taken in by MTN.  All of the men came with only the clothes on their backs.  MTN continues to feel honored by doing Gods work in such a way.  We hope that the local churches and community leaders will assist us financially to get these men off the street.  Gwinnett County’s homeless population will be greatly decreased if MTN were able to assist everyone who needs it.  Many people in Gwinnett County see the homeless issue in the county as a minor issue.  MTN is consumed by the homeless population and must turn away some we are unable to help.  With the local and spiritual communities assistance we can greatly increase our ability to help everyone who seeks it.  Any and all contributions to MTN go directly to helping the men.  The people who work for MTN are on a completely volunteer basis.  The volunteer work is a 24/7 type atmosphere.  Neither Jane nor Rene’ draw a salary and our main contributor for years past has been Rene’s upholstery business.  Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

Much needed items.

The items above are not glamorous yet they are very needed.  To those who would like to make non-monetary donations, we are struggling with the following items: Jeans, Toiletry Kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and shaving kits).  A complete toiletry kit can be purchased for approximately $12.  Toilet paper is needed drastically.  Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and a tax donation form will be issued to all parties that request one.

The first snow storm of 2011 came earlier than normal for our area.  The storm was so beautiful yet so devastating for the local businesses.  Body shops will not be short of work anytime soon though.  The normal winter storm in the metro area lasts 1-2 days max.  This storm paralyzed the metro area for nearly a week.  MTN Ministry men were mostly restricted to their respective houses during the snow week.  The time was well spent with extensive study and fellowship.  Some of the men decided to take the horses out to tour the countryside.  In the pic above you see Taylor, Daniel, and Leslie.  Leslie is a close ministry friend.  The activity ministered to the men, guests and animals.

Rosie

On 12-18-10, Rene’ and Jane, with the help of a couple of men from the ministry, picked up two horses that were donated to us by a neighbor.  Rosie the mother is a beautiful mare that is very headstrong and protective over her son.  Freedom Boy is a 5 month old colt that is as stubborn as his beautiful mother.

Freedom Boy

During the retrieval of the horses they were both very reluctant to get into the trailer.  The horses got to the opening of the trailer and fear took over.  Rosie and Freedom Boy were not able to take the next step and Proverbs says they became stupid, stubborn fools, and refused to budge.  Often times we are like the horses, we become stubborn and rebellious.  When that happens and our will takes over it pushes God’s desire out of our life.  We become frozen in fear that God is going to ask us to do something we don’t want to do and we refuse to try.

Rosie and Freedom Boy staring into the unknown

The horse’s fear and confusion were attributed to their lack of familiarity with us and our plans for them.  It is consistent with our fear and unfamiliarity with Gods plan however, His promise in Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, should help us facilitate a greater love for God and set us at ease when we are asked to accomplish anything for His Kingdom.

Trying to get the horses to take that step

It took close to an hour to get the horses to take the first step into the trailer.  It often takes us a lifetime.  Once the step was taken by Rosie and Freedom Boy onto the trailer they were on their way to Gods best for them.  They are happy, healthy, and well taken care of.  Gods desire for us is the same.  When we submit our will to Him, take a step into the unknown, He will deliver us from our worldly ways and give us all the desires of our heart.

Rene' coaxing Rosie

The horses stubborn actions were very frustrating to us as we tried to load them into the trailer.  We can only imagine God’s frustration with us at times of our blatant disobedience.  The wonderful fact remains that His mercies are new every morning.  Furthermore His unconditional love for us promises He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Rosie and Freedom Boy at the MTN farm with all the love they can handle.

Rene Alvarez is an excellent upholsterer with over 30 years of experience.  Most men that come into MTN have never worked on upholstery and Rene gives them a wealth of knowledge and an opportunity to learn a trade.  Rene ministers to the men about Gods work through his upholstery skills.  He takes a worn out old seat or cushion, makes the men understand what the brutality the cushion must have endured in order to look that way.  Comparable to the history the men have endured that have beaten and broken them.  Rene then strips off the old material, glue, and removes all the many staples that secure the cover.  The staples represent strongholds that the men have had and the cover as a representation of the worn out old trash they once identified with.  The cushion is then removed from the seat and inspected to see if it can withstand a new cover.  More times than not it has to be replaced, and the new cushion represents the Word of God.  Lastly the new cover is secured around the cushion and pulled tight to ensure that the cushion stays in the correct spot.  Rene relates the installation of the Word of God into the old broken down men is the initial step that in turn produces beautiful Men of God that, as long as they continue to care and condition their covers, will walk in the path of righteousness and become fishers of men themselves.  Rene’s awesome visual ministry is reminiscent of the way Jesus used parables to teach the disciples.

MTN men Shane and Taylor are posing in front of the material they have gathered in order to recycle it.  The recycling material varies from scrap metal to old computer parts.  The recycling helps supplement the monthly budget at MTN.  The “trash”, per se, helps MTN house, feed, and clothe the men currently here and the ones who will be requesting help in the near future.  Since MTN receives no state or federal funding,every little bit helps.

Meet The Need would like to introduce Ricky.  Ricky is one of Lily’s kids that she birthed approximately 8 weeks ago.  Ricky has been helping out Rene’s Upholstery by keeping close tabs on the staffs activities.  Ricky has become very attached to Rene’ and Jane.  When Ricky is left alone he lets everyone hear about his separation anxiety.  Harley has enjoyed the new arrival as it has triggered his herding instinct and we have seen a definite increase in his activity level.

The Norcross First United Methodist Church men’s group invited MTN men out to their meeting on 12-12-10.  The meeting included breakfast, fellowship, and testimonies.  One young man from NFUMC gave his wonderful account of the Boy Scout Jamboree that he attended in northern Virginia this past August.  The young man had to earn the money to attend the event that hosted around 44,000 Boy Scouts.

The meeting was a great opportunity for MTN to share their scope and experiences.  The ministry was blessed in numerous ways by the invitation and wonderful work performed by the NFUMC men’s group.